Bergen Democrats make picks to challenge three Republican freeholders in November

Freeholders Steve Tanelli and Tracy Zur are introduced by party chair Lou Stellato after their victory in the November 2012 election. Bergen Democrats are looking to build on their success in November by targeting the remaining three Republicans on the board. S.P. Sullivan/NJ.com

HACKENSACK — Bergen County Democrats threw their support behind a three-person ticket to challenge the incumbent Republican freeholders at a convention Tuesday night — the only contested slots on the party line.

The party endorsed James Tedesco, Christopher Tully and Lorraine Waldes — who sought endorsement together — over former Teaneck Council member Monica Honis.

All three freeholder candidates have backgrounds in municipal politics: Tedesco is a former Paramus mayor, Tully is a Bergenfield council member and Waldes is president of the school board in River Vale.

Although the county party endorsements play a major role in getting candidates elected, anyone is able to challenge the results by running a primary campaign.

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The three Democrats will challenge incumbent Republicans John Mitchell, Maura DeNicola and John Felice in November. The county party is hoping to continue the success they had last November, when Freeholders Steve Tanelli and Tracy Zur won two formerly Republican-held seats on the board, giving Democrats a 4-3 majority.

"We're obviously in the infancy stage of the campaign," spokesman Adam Silverstein said. "I think it starts with the candidates getting out and meeting as many voters in Bergen County as they can, just as they've done the last two years, which has made them very successful."

Bergen GOP chairman Bob Yudin told NJ.com that the county Republicans won't hold a convention this year because none of the county positions up for grabs are being challenged. In addition to the freeholders, Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan and Sheriff Michael Saudino are up for reelection.